The Adventures of a Christian Mom, Grandma and cancer surviver!

First off, Radiology doctor check up – came out FINE! Double mammogram came out clear – THANK YOU, LORD! Good news – see him in 6 months just to ‘check in’ and next mammogram in A YEAR! YAY! Stopped at the local Salvation Army and found a really nice medium tan colored crocheted vest which will go really nicely with my brown skirt & cream colored long-sleeved turtle neck this winter; also got a pair of black dress slacks on 1/2 price – SCORE! More running to Office Max for printer cartridges, then to the Post Office for stamps for the special needs group newsletters I’m printing as I type! 65 copies this time; hopefully I’ll be able to get them all printed, stapled, folded, stuffed into the envelopes, stamped & ran to the Post Office before tonight. (being we’re going into a 3 day weekend, I’d like them to go out in tomorrow’s mail, if possible, as Sunday is the last day of this month!) Can you believe it – there went AUGUST! Sigh . . .

In my travels I noticed that gas prices jumped from $3.44/9 a few days ago to $3.66/9 today – NOT GOOD, as I only have half tank right now! Why did I think that they’d stay LOW for awhile? Silly me.

We’re still working on all the nice fresh produce I bought earlier in the week. Made Zucchini casserole with corn on the cob for dinner; yummy dinner (good thing the doctor didn’t ask for a blood test, as rice AND corn really spike my diabetic numbers!) Still working on leftovers – only have a chicken breast & 1 hash brown potato patty left – not bad! That might be my lunch, just to get them out of the fridge! Tonight will probably be a repeat of last night’s dinner, as I still have lots of casserole and 4 more ears of corn. Still up on the menu is BLT’s – with only two of us eating dinners, it takes much longer to gt it gone! (I shouldn’t complain – there are people who are going hungry, right?)

Spent the entire day yesterday playing
Rollercoaster Tycoon with my grandson;
we’re talking from around 8 a.m. until
almost 6 p.m. – the boy is insatiable!
We still have until Aug. 31st to see if
I won the 3-disc set on Ebay (so far
the bid is still $3.65 – my top bid is
$10, so I’m really hoping we get it
for the lower price!) He even asked me
if I would be playing it after he went
home! Love that boy – next Tuesday
he starts school, 3rd grade if I’m not
mistaken. His dad asked if he wanted to
be in flag football this year (yes) – that’s
GREAT! Last year he was in touch football
and it was too far away for us to go see
his games, so this will be great as it’s in
flag football is in our area.
Guess I’d better close here – having
all kinds of ‘fun’ with the printer – sometimes
I’m actually able to print the entire 65
copies with NO TROUBLE, but then there
are other times (like now) when I keep
getting “Paper Jam” – ugh!!! (It must
know I’m not paying full attention to
the printing!)

Enjoy your day;

Hugs;

Pammie

PS: the weather is still very UN-August like: right now it’s 69 and chilly, overcast. Where did our summer go!???

It’s Monday and it’s also ‘lots of places to go’ day! Just got home from 7 various jaunts: Bank, Walgreen’s, Library, Fruit/Veg. stand, Gordon Foods, CVS and Huron Foods. I’m SO glad my dear husband has me call ahead – he lugs the groceries, etc. from the car to the house for me. Sometimes I think just doing that after all the running around is pretty exhausting (let alone putting away all the stuff, too!). I’m sitting here nice & comfy sipping a big, tall glass of ice water and feeling the antioxidants just coursing through my body. At Gordon Foods they had a really big box of fresh blueberries for $1.69 – been eating handfuls of them. Today was a sort of ‘wake up’ call: remember you need to eat HEALTHY! Got fresh strawberries, a cantauloupe, corn on the cob, some gorgeous tomatoes for BLT’s, some zucchini for Zucchini Casserole, the fixin’s for coleslaw (for some reason, this summer I’m craving coleslaw!). Got a nice big fryer chicken for the crockpot for around $6.00 – happy with all my ‘deals’ – coupons & all. I know I’ve mentioned this before but it’s worth repeating: did you know that you can get some really great buys at DRUG STORES? I’m talking groceries! Got 2 jars of Jif creamy peanut butter for $4, a nice sized jar of honey-roasted peanuts for $1.99 – at WALGREEN’S! I’m a BIG fan of checking all the ‘in the mail’ fliers from CVS, Walgreens, KMart – they all have some pretty good GROCERY deals, if you just look! Walgreen’s is pretty good about selling canned salmon for a really great price – with coupon; I like it for making salmon patties.

My cousin wrote from Iowa yesterday that they were going through some really muggy days; I wrote him back that we were in the mid-70’s and breezy – no muggy . . . I spoke too soon. Today it’s 80, very sunny and VERY muggy (thank heavens for Air conditioning!).

They are still, periodically, working on our road but it’s not as bad (the only BAD thing is figuring out just WHEN they WILL be working on it). Saturday was a nightmare of constant clogged traffic in front of our house- they had narrowed down the usual 5-lanes to 2, right next to each other – no turn lane – lovely . . .When it’s like that it’s easier to go all the way around the block just to get in my driveway without a big mess. This, too, shall pass . . .

Frosting:1 tub sugar free chocolate frosting
–
Mix pudding mix with milk, using a whisk.
Beat about 2 minutes by hand. Fold in
crushed pineapple & Cool Whip, set
aside. Layer a 9 X 13 baking pan with
one layer of graham crackers. Top with
half pudding mix. Repeat layers with
grahams, remaining pudding & top
with one more layer grahams. Take
lid off frosting, remove metal cover &
place in microwave. Microwave about
45 seconds, until frosting is liquid and
pour over grahams – spread out evenly.
Cover &refrigerate 2 hours before serving.

NOTE: This recipe can be made using
sliced strawberries, or raspberries,
or blueberries. Use 1 pint hulled & sliced
strawberries. Place berries on after 1st
layer grahams & pudding mix & repeat
in that order for next layer.

That’s about ‘it’ on this weeks ‘hit parade’; finished
another chemo cap (that makes 3 this time) for
delivery this Friday. I try to take in a few each time I
have to go there for a check up. The GOOD THING,
this time, is the Radiologist said that if my latest
mammogram is clear (and it was), I start only
coming in once A YEAR! YAY! (There’s still the
Oncologist – main cancer doctor, and I’m pretty
sure he won’t let me get off that easy (right now
it’s every 3 months, just like my main family
doctor – saw him last Friday – all’s good there!).
Ah, the ‘fun’ life of a cancer survivor – but the way
I look at it: IT COULD BE MUCH WORSE! Just going
in to hear ‘all’s well’ is no big deal!

I hope you have a GREAT day – filled with just
enough events to keep you busy, but not too busy,
and relaxing enough to keep you stress-free.

Looking at my calendar for the week – looks like I’ll be traveling A LOT! Today found me riding along with my friend and leader of our special needs group; we went to pay our respects to the family of one of our ‘kids’. This ‘young lady’ was in her 40’s, severely handicapped in a wheelchair and had been going through chemotherapy for ovarian cancer; she had suffered about eight months. She was well loved and you could tell – she has a lovely family; it’s SO good to know that, even though she lived in a group home, she was WELL loved and taken care of – she will be missed.

Tomorrow I’ve decided to ‘brave it’ and get my driver’s license renewed. Normally that would not be a big thing, except it’s probably been about 7 years since I’ve had to do that and I’m pretty much expecting a WRITTEN TEST this time. (my driving record is clean – (no points) or accidents in I can’t remember when – hope I’m not jinxing myself here . . . just sayin’). I just spent time thoroughly going over the on-line booklet from our Secretary of State: “What Every Driver Should Know”, took a practice test (got 100%), so hopefully I’m ‘good to go’ (I’ll let ya know tomorrow!). Last time I remember taking one of those I missed one question – it was something about driving a truck in the mountains. Let me tell you: We DO NOT HAVE MOUNTAINS IN MICHIGAN! I know NOTHING about driving in the mountains! The lovely lady who gave me the test said: “If you were to guess – what do you think is the right answer?” I gave her my thoughts and she agreed. (note: husband says you only have to get a 70% to pass – we’ll see!). I’ve been driving since I was 17, so that’s about 47 years now; had 4 accidents in my life – three of which were caused by other people, one was an unavoidable during a freak snowstorm and I couldn’t stop. The policeman said No ticket, but I did have to report it to the insurance company – no points. (In fact, ONE of those accidents was really freaky: I was slowly approaching a red light on a 2 way road when I looked out my left side to see a car driving VERY slowly out of a party store parking lot – he drove straight into my left side! There was no where I could go – turns out he was VERY drunk, all information he gave me was false and he drove away before the cops came! Wonderful . . . . Anyway, tomorrow’s the ‘big day’ – I’ve been avoiding it for awhile now, but Wednesday is my birthday, so I HAVE to get this done or not be able to drive! I’m curious to see how many years this next license will be for. On the renewal note, had to look up another thing that’s been bothering me: I currently have the red organ donor ‘heart’ on my license – I’ve heard (from others) that I will no longer be able to do that, being a cancer survivor. I went on line to our Secretary of State and found out that they can still use my organs IF I’ve never had a blood-born cancer – amazing! I only had radiation, and the cancer was NOT in my lymph nodes, so looks like I can still do that! I have a friend who, in his early-40’s suddenly needed a heart transplant – believe me, organ donations became front and center and made me a BIG supporter of that. You just never know who or when someone will need them after you die. My thought is: It’s my LAST gift to those who are still here – USE THEM; certainly I will not need them any more!

The craziness continues Wednesday; lunch with three of my lady friends from church, then special needs group that night. Thursday is another lunch with two other friends, Friday is my grandson all day. Looks like Saturday (so far) will be my ONLY free day – we’ll see. Looking at gas prices in our area, not so good on all the traveling. Today, Weds and Thurs will be great gas-guzzlers – not close trips, any of them. Oh well, if ya want to par-tay, guess ya have to pay the (gas) price, right? (We’re looking at almost $3.90/9 for regular) – could be higher, I didn’t look today (still at half tank).

With floured hands or a teaspoon
scoop, roll filling into 25 one-inch
balls. Scoop 1 T. of the dough. Make
an indentation in center with your
finger & place one of the balls into
indentation. Bring cookie dough up &
over the ball, pressing edges together
to cover the center. Roll cookie in palms
of your hand to smooth it out into a
ball. Repeat with remaining dough &
balls. Roll each rounded cookie in
granulated sugar then place on prepared
baking sheets, leaving about 2″ between
cookies. Grease the bottom of a drinking
glass and use it to flatten each cookie
to about 1/2 inch thickness. Bake 7-9
minutes or until set and you can smell
chocolate. Remove from oven & cool
on rack.

(recipe Rebecca-justapinch.com)
=====================

It’s another warm day out there, sunny & clear blue skies with big, fluffy clouds: right now it’s 87 degrees F. Glad I don’t have to go anywhere else (that I know of) today; our house is brick and stays pretty cool. Planning on getting out the knitting a little later; I actually spent the entire day yesterday KNIT-FREE! Amazing! It’s down to the two Veteran’s Hospital baby blankets (one 3/4’s done, one 1/4 th done) and knitting more baby hats for our local hospital. I’m thinking of saving the baby blankets for when I got to Log Cabin Days next weekend; since I’ll be there 7 hours Saturday and 4 hours Sunday, that will be (knitting) time well spent; might take some yarn for baby hat knitting, too (sometimes it gets boring just knitting the same thing for hours & hours).

In everyone’s life there are choices – some easy, some difficult, but we ALL have to make them. This week was my first visit to my cancer doctor since he took me off of the cancer-suppressing drug six months ago. I am now feeling back to my ‘old’ self; I have energy, my mind is clear and I don’t ache constantly – I’m really happy about that. During our brief check up he asked me if he mentioned starting another drug the last time we met; I said no. He then ran down the drug, what it does and why I should be taking it for the REST OF MY LIFE. Basically, it’s another of the SAME drug I stopped six months ago – same side effects, etc. I asked him to give me the ‘numbers’ (basically, your ‘odds’ of cancer coming back again). My number is 16%, so I asked him IF I took this drug, what would be the number – 14% he said. I told him that, for 2% difference, I will take my chances and stay off any suppressing drugs. It’s a kind of scary thing, wondering IF the cancer will return (he did say that most breast cancers DO return), but I’m am going on 66 in June and I truly want to LIVE my life, not just barely struggle by every day – in pain, with a muddled brain, constantly struggling and feeling like I’m 90! Choices – we all have to make them. I decided to put it in the Lord’s hands because HE is in control of my life and only HE knows when, exactly, I will depart this life. Yesterday I attended a visitation for a friend I knew from Michigan Bell, who recently died. I was a bit shocked to learn that she had died of a re-occurrence of breast cancer which spread to her lungs and thyroid. Did THIS bring my recent visit to the doctor into perspective? No – because I learned from her sister, that breast cancer runs in their family (to my knowledge, I’m the only one EVER to have contracted the disease). Lots of prayer and consideration – but my CHOICE is to LIVE, the best I can, until the Lord takes me home.

On a better note, our weather has been totally late-Spring-like: it’s been into the 70’s!!! Right now (at 1:40 p.m.) it’s 66 & clear/sunny – just my kind of weather! We have the windows open, the house heat ‘off’ and are just enjoying the long-awaited nice weather!

If you remember, I mentioned a few posts ago, that a close friend’s grandson (girlfriend) is going to have a baby in August. (they’re the ones that like the really bright/almost neon green). I knit a baby hat with the bright green border & a blue/green & white variegated main part. Am almost finished with a sweater (6 mo). which I started 2 days ago. This will be my second sweater, ever, and it’s a different pattern than the first one I knit. It is also in the bright green, with a hood – just have to finish the hood then attach the arms, sew up seams, sew on 2 small buttons and we’re ‘good to go’. I also want to knit booties to go with it – those are ‘in the offing’. As well as those, I wanted to knit a baby blanket. Yes, I’ve knit tons of baby blankets, but this time I wanted to vary the pattern a bit using white and also the blue/green/white, and bordering it in the bright green. Spent a bit of time on various knit sites trying to find a pattern that would work for this color scheme and finally found this one:

I’m leaving the thick white border ‘white’ and making the scalloped ‘fan’ decoration in the blue/green/white yarn; it will then be bordered with the bright green yarn, when finished. This is my first “Feather & Fan” pattern – it looks easy but it’s lots of counting (and, let me tell you – I tend to let my mind WANDER when doing that and end up with either too many or not enough stitches at the end of the 154 stitches per row – UGH!). We’ll see how this goes; I already told my friend when she said the shower is in JUNE, that I might not get all the knitting done by then. She said that’s OK . . . whew! (I was counting on July, maybe – but certainly not the first weekend in JUNE!) Sigh . . . lots of knitting in MY future, for sure!

Went to my Radiologist today for a check up – he informed me it’s now been over TWO YEARS since my treatments and I’m doing great! Last mammogram (last week) came back clear – now I only have to go once a year for them! YAY!

Our weather, of course, is still VERY COLD! The temps driving there this morning were 3 degrees F, no telling what the wind chill was – made my cheeks sting! I noticed people really seemed to be driving super slow – hey, people – it’s only COLD! I was also very happy to discover that the huge pile of snow completely covering my van was only light, fluffy stuff that could be cleared using a broom! I was so glad it was easy to clean that I played with the shovel, clearing a path to all our vehicles – little ‘trails’ so that each driver didn’t have to get lots of snow in their boots or on their pant legs! (that’s when I really noticed now much the wind made my cheeks sting!).

While out & about I also noticed our gas prices are staying the same: $3.39/9 a gallon for the cheap stuff. Since it’s been so cold, I haven’t been driving much, hence my tank is still at half full – yay! (I’m wondering if we’re going to be cancelling my special needs group this Weds; the reports say it’s going to be -10 during the day and -13 at night. (according to the report on my screen, it’s supposed to be -13 right now out there! Guess it’s a good thing I didn’t know that while I was outside, eh?) My dear husband was so great – he offered to drive me to the doctor’s appointment – he has a Jeep with 4-wheel drive, so he can get through just about anything. (I was glad to oblige him as I really didn’t want to have to wait until my van’s heater warmed up – it takes a LOT longer than his Jeep!).

Oldest son just stopped over to take husband out for a belated birthday lunch – I thought that was sweet. Husband (being ever the curmudgeon) really wasn’t interested, but went along anyway. I’m just glad they get to spend some time together; oldest has his own house (and our 7 yr old grandson) so his free time is not as much as I’m guessing he would like (plus he works two jobs!). I’m just glad to see him when he stops over!

Food-wise around here we’re still working on leftovers: leftover homemade chicken noodle soup and homemade chili. It’s funny – the guys really love the chili (this time I really wasn’t interested in either the soup or the chili – not sure why). This is another ‘everybody home’ day, so I’m hoping the leftovers will cover them for dinner (then I can cook something ELSE tomorrow!) It’s funny – now that I don’t have everyone home, sitting down to dinner TOGETHER (like in the past) I find myself focusing more on what to make for dinner. Next up on my menu agenda is either: Pierogies & sausages or Salmon Patties (neither meal offering the youngest will eat – oh well . . . there’s always peanut butter sandwiches, right?).

My husband always teases me at how easily I ‘pick up’ people – it seems that I’m either ‘picking up’,as in suddenly end up engaged in a long conversation with, either: (a) old people or (b) those interested in knitting or crochet. Today the regular nurse wasn’t ‘in’ at my Radiologists so I got to meet a new assistant – she noticed I was bundling up my crocheting (the Diagonal Box stitch baby afghan) before coming into the exam room. After some conversation, looks like there will be another new person joining my Knit group! Small world, eh? When I told her we meet at Panera Bread she was very happy – seems she lives very near there! Always nice to meet new people! (and ‘pick them up’, so to speak!).

The crocheted baby blanket is coming along nicely – already went through one partial ball of yarn and am now starting on the next; I’m thinking I’ll probably have to buy one more skein/ball to finish this into a good sized blanket. I’d forgotten how much fun this pattern is and how EASY! (sure beats the last crocheted baby blanket I did “Bubblegum” – what a boring pattern!). I’ll try to remember to photo this one when it’s done; am thinking of putting a small crocheted border around it, just to add a little something extra – we’ll see.

Sure hope you are SAFE/WARM/IN GOOD HEALTH and able to enjoy the day. It was very bright out (and still is) VERY SUNNY – almost blinding if you caught the glare off the snow & ice (guess I shouldn’t complain – it could be grey & gloomy with snow/ice/or sleet). Yes, Yes – what was that I just wrote to you the other day? Count your BLESSINGS? I hear you!!!

Yep, today is my husband’s 62nd birthday; he’s never been one for wanting that acknowledged in any way. (long story-his favorite uncle died on his birthday many years ago and ever since, he just wants to forget – sad.) Over the years I’ve tried to ‘lighten’ the day, buying him gifts I think he’d like but it doesn’t change, so this year it’s just his favorite dinner – he’s happy with that. Favorite dinner? Meat & Potato Pie and banana cake. I found an easy banana cake recipe today and will post that below.

Weather-wise, like most of the country, it’s VERY cold. Right now it’s actually WARM! 16 degrees! BUT the wind chills make it hard to be outside very long. It’s supposed to be colder all weekend (oh, joy) from today through Monday it’s all below zero: lows -18 or lower: -23, light snow through Sunday, wind chills -20 with winds up to 50 MPH. Ah, the joys of living in a COLD state!

I had a 6-month mammogram appointment today and just the short drive to the hospital made the tips of my fingers almost numb! (it’s such a short drive the car heater didn’t get much chance to warm up). Xray wise, it looked the same as 6 months ago – which is GOOD/GREAT! Thank you, Lord!

*NOTE: If you don’t have any over-ripe bananas, place yellow
bananas on cookie sheet in oven. Turn oven temp to 350
degrees F. When your oven ‘beeps’ that is preheated, take
bananas out. The skins will be a little brownish & bananas
are warm. The heat gets all the sugars & banana flavor ready
to get mashed into cake or banana bread recipes.

NOTE: Muffins can be baked ahead of time. Cool,
then wrap individually in plastic wrap & freeze up
to 1 month. Thaw, then reheat in microwave just
before serving.

(recipe: Kraft foods)

===============================

You’ll be happy to know (or, maybe not) that I FINALLY got up the gumption to take all the boxes of Christmas ‘stuff’ AND the tree upstairs! It was really bugging me, but since the stupid cancer thing, I just don’t have the strength I used to (legs/lifting/stamina, etc.) YES, I do have two strapping young men but it seems they’re not around when ya need them; husband helped with the lugging the tree box (which was HEAVY!). That’s done for another year. Husband said yesterday that this is the first time in his memory that he really doesn’t LIKE snow and is not looking forward to more winter. I agree! When I was setting UP the Christmas ‘stuff’ I said (to myself) “I’ll leave up some of these snowmen after the Christmas stuff is packed – they sort of cheer up this time of year!” I even lugged some of them upstairs yesterday – really sick of just THINKING of more snow in the offing. I guess it wouldn’t be so bad if we didn’t already have TWO big snowfalls; it’s more the ‘just can’t get out/or back in the driveway” and ‘have to shovel’! SO glad we finally found a person who can plow! We’re gettin’ too old to be lifting the really heavy, wet stuff!

Thinkin’ of spending some QUALITY time today with a new book and some knitting – now THAT’S being productive! (Not counting I still have to bake that banana cake!) I’m cheating a bit: bought a boxed banana cake and am going to mash up some really ripe bananas in the batter; bought cream cheese frosting which will have some banana oil flavoring added, for flavor. Even bought husband a ‘new’ ice cream flavor: Malted; it was funny when he was unpacking the groceries today he stopped and said: “Malted? You HATE malted!” I said; “I know! But it’s YOUR birthday and you LOVE Malted!” He walked off grumbling something about me buying ice cream I won’t eat . . . to me, it’s a Win/Win situation! I don’t like it, so I WON’T eat it! (saves me hitting it late at night when I get a craving, right?). There’s METHOD to my MADNESS!

Enjoy your day – try to stay warm (if you’re in a cold climate). Do something you like OR do something nice for someone else! Both make you feel better inside!

Today I’ve talked to two different ladies, both friends (neither know the other/totally different realms) and I’ve found myself giving them the advice I’m just now absorbing for myself: Enough, sometimes, has to be ENOUGH! One is overwhelmed with caring for her aging mother, the other is recovering from knee replacement surgery; both feel like they can’t get all the things done this season demands and they’re down on themselves. I fully understand: I don’t WANT to be a Scrooge, but sometimes I really feel like one simply because I’m overwhelmed and feeling down on myself. One of my sweet readers here sent me an encouraging message the other day, letting me know that we both need to ‘get in the Christmas spirit’ – THANKS! I try my hardest NOT to fall back on the ‘cancer’ thing; Yes, I HAD cancer, but I don’t NOW have it. Yes, I’m still learning that the exhaustion is still with me and I have to realize that I can physically do about HALF of what I want to in a day – BUT all that is becoming a learning experience. As I try to encourage others I can hear myself saying to them: “Sometimes it’s take life a MINUTE at a time!” Other people say take life a day at a time, but there are THOSE times when a day is WAY too much; it’s in those moments that we need to just narrow it down to what we can handle. If doing too many physical things takes you past your comfort zone, then have a good old fashioned Sit Down! (Lord knows I do that often enough!). If a short nap helps – DO IT! There is NOTHING in this life that is so important that you can’t take a few short minutes for yourself (barring an emergency, that is).

I’m teaching myself that if the Christmas decorations aren’t all up by Christmas, oh well! Christmas will come – ANYWAY! If I don’t get those two batches of cookies baked that I really want to do – oh, well! We won’t starve for lack of them! If, by next week, the presents aren’t fully wrapped, there’s always those convenient decorated BAGS! I don’t know of anyone who turned down a present just because it was in a bag instead of fancy wrapping paper, do you?

I’m learning – today I baked that one other batch of prepared dough and added them to the big tin of baked cookies. Dragged down some of the decorations; put a few up. Got out the fancy gift bags and proceeded to wrap all the ‘non-family’ presents, plus put together the mail lady’s cookie plate. It’s coming together – slowly, but it’s getting done. The tree now sits in it’s box in the middle of the living room – it will get put up and decorated relatively soon. I was hoping to do it today, but right now, after all the above plus making dinner, I’m too pooped! I’m learning it’s OK to take a rest – I’m a retired lady, I’m getting a bit older (65 1/2) and I’m still recovering from all the after effects of the anti-estrogen cancer drug I was on for 1 1/2 years. Those are the FACTS – I just have to deal with them and, as the saying goes:

Here it is – the night before the big day; right now it’s a little after 7 p.m. and I’m giving myself a well-earned sit down. Been going at it cleaning house, dragging out all the essential serving pieces/silverware/silver butter dish, etc. for tomorrow’s feast. Today was my ‘attack the living room’ day – for most of you, I’ll imagine, cleaning your entire house is a quick thing . . . not here. I love my family members but they are all PACK RATS! Just going through the game area is a chore – sorting & dusting piles of games & systems (and finding unusual items thrown in, also – like old Sesame Street VCR tapes from when my grandson was a toddler!). I took the cleaning in stages – give the bathroom a really good cleaning – sit down with coffee, knit a few rows on a baby hat, then back at it. I’m very pleased with all I got done today; enlisted husband to do the vacuuming (we have a very HEAVY Hoover and for me it’s quite a chore just lugging it around) – that helped immensely. The red holiday tablecloth is clean and on the table – even the fiber optic little Christmas tree is up in the dining room! AMAZING – FIRST TIME EVER I have Christmas stuff up BEFORE Thanksgiving! I’m definitely a procrastinator and am well known in our family to put off dragging the decorations down from upstairs – one year it was Christmas EVE! (That’s BAD) – haven’t been THAT bad since then. I’m waiting to see what youngest son will say when he gets home from work in a few minutes – I’m guessing he’ll be shocked to see the little tree.

Made the homemade cranberry-orange relish using my food processor – ended up with almost SOUP – by the time the processor ground up the orange, it didn’t like the idea of the frozen cranberries so getting BOTH to the right consistency just didn’t happen. Oh well – it will still taste OK tomorrow; maybe it will thicken up a bit in the fridge (one can only hope!).

Tomorrow will also be another ‘first’ – first time I only have to COOK – not clean, then cook. SO glad I took the entire thing in stages. I hate to bring up the ‘cancer’ thing but even though it’s almost been a year since I finished radiation, and about a month since I stopped taking the drugs, I’m still not up to my old energy (pre-cancer). I think, of all of it, THAT frustrates me the most. Having to ask for help doing things that used to be second nature to me – like opening a jar, cranking a hand-held can opener, going for more than 1/2 hour before I get just too tired to go on – have to take a rest. Yes, I know – it will all come (sorry for airing my grievance here – just a bit frustrated.) I am VERY grateful that I am a cancer SURVIVOR – Praise the Lord for that, as there are others who are still going through the treatments and some who don’t have a good outlook ahead. I know – be content with the ‘little things’ for, in the end, they’re ALL little things!

RECIPES! I’m guessing, at this late date, you are all pretty well into the preparation of the holiday foods and not really searching for recipes BUT I still have a LOT of recipes that just might help at the last minute!

I would be interested in hearing from you to see if you have any tips on what YOU do for your holidays – do you have any Thanksgiving traditions you share? Any particular foods you have every Thanksgiving (besides turkey & pumpkin pie???)? It might sound a little ‘quaint’ but my family is really deeply rooted in the SAME dinner every year: Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Stuffing, Green Bean Casserole, Corn Casserole, gravy, Cranberry-Orange relish, rolls, fresh veggie tray and usually pumpkin pie (with whipped cream) and the multi-variety slices of cheesecake.

I am VERY grateful, every year, to be able to enjoy this holiday with my family. There are many whose family members are far away (or in the Service) who are not able to sit down on Thanksgiving with their family members. I thank the Lord for giving me another year to enjoy and to be able to say that now I am CANCER FREE! It is with a very humble heart that I look forward to another year with my family, and sharing thoughts & recipes with you.

Once again life is squeezed between filled days; today is no different: Grandson’s flag football game 1-2 p.m., then rush home/change clothes/ and drive like a crazy woman to a wedding 20 miles away – making sure I get there BEFORE 3 p.m.! Then it’s drive from the wedding to the reception (here’s where it gets tricky – I’m not familiar with either the location of the wedding OR the reception – thank heavens for Mapquest!).Reception is 12 miles from wedding/church – I hope I can follow someone (just in case, I printed out the Mapquest directions!) As my husband would say: “You can get lost in a paper bag!” (that’s SO true!) I hate driving places I’m not familiar with; husband (in his older/retired state) doesn’t like going to ‘events’ (read that weddings/parties, etc) much, so I’m going ‘solo’ (again!). This is another young couple from our church – we know both families – ought to be fun!

Let’s see – what else is new? Not really a lot – just the same old RUNNING! It’s getting so that I almost need a Social Planner – almost every day has at least one ‘event’; mind you, I’m not complaining but it makes me long for days with NOTHING but ‘chilling’ in sight! I’m just very grateful that we have a car that runs well and is able to keep up with my constant driving; just cracked 50,000 miles on my van – we’ve had it about 2 years now (got it with 20,000 miles on it). Yes, I know – if I worked the mileage would have grown much quicker.

How is your weather lately? Our’s is very much Fall-like BUT it’s been really sunny and warm! (right now would not be a good example: it’s 10:25 a.m. and it’s only 59 degrees out, BUT it should warm up later to 78 degrees! YAY!)

Gas Prices? Our’s have been a bit ‘strange’ – they were in the $3.49/9, then dropped to $3.44/9 – last night I saw they’d dropped further to around $3.39/9 – interesting! I’m not complaining! (especially with all the driving I have to do today!)

Health-wise, I’m doing fine. Been waiting to see how I’d feel after going off the cancer drug – so far it’s been 1 week plus 1 day – the joint pain is slowly decreasing (that’s a good thing!). Still have the occasional hot flash but that could just be hormonal; mood swings – haven’t noticed any. I’ll just be glad if I can sit down then get up and not sound like I’m 90 yrs old, grunting & groaning and barely able to make my feet & legs move at all – that would be a great thing! Even at 65 I still (mentally) feel a lot younger THEREFORE I’ve determined I’m going to still ACT a whole lot younger! (Yes, for those who know me personally – that means I’ll still be JUST as crazy/silly, etc. as I’ve ever been!)

Just got back from my first visit to a Urologist (thought to have possible kidney stones); turns out I was RIGHT! I had suspected that the entire problem of reoccurring infections was all due to the fact that I don’t drink enough liquids! I’ve never been one for liking to drink almost anything; coffee (1-2 cups a day, at most), maybe a cup of water in between, but that’s about it for liquids – NOT GOOD! Add to that my (former) cancer drug also dries you out and you’re a prime candidate for urinary tract infections. The odd thing to me is: why did I not get them sooner? (I’d been on the anti-estrogen/cancer drug for 1 1/2 YEARS!) Not complaining, tho’ – the urologist said to take cranberry tablets, add lactobacillis tabs & water to my daily regimen and “see you in 6 months”! YAY! No big ultrasounds/kidney tests, etc. like I was expecting! Back in June my (new) cancer doctor had sent me for several tests, one being an ultrasound of my stomach area; unbeknownst to me, that also included a complete report on my kidneys. The urologist said I’m doing good! YAY! FEELIN’ GOOD, knowing I’m reducing the number of medicines/doctors/tests – that’s great!

How are your gas prices lately? Ours are steadily going DOWN! I filled up today at $3.32/9 – that’s the lowest I’ve seen in many years!!!

Report on Special Needs Group’s Harvest Party: I think I wrote before that the church we meet at decided to honor our group by throwing a Harvest Party for them, complete with food, games, prizes, etc. – that was last Friday. They did a great job of it – lots of food, games, prizes and some new people, too. The kids had a ball – and Lois & I (we’re the ones in charge of the group) had a good time ‘mingling’ – we so very rarely get to do that. I came home totally exhausted after 3 hours on my feet, but happy it all came together so well. The lady who arranged it is already excited about throwing a Hawaiian Luau in June for the kids!

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LOTS of recipes coming in – so many that I haven’t had time to process all of them!

Add flour, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon
and salt to a food processor and pulse until blended.
Pour in melted butter and pulse until well combined
then add egg white and pulse until blended. In a bowl
combine juice and vinegar, with processor running
slowly pour in juice mixture and pulse just until mixture
begins to come together. Divide dough into two pieces,
shape into balls and transfer to a resealable bag. Chill in
refrigerator 30 minutes – 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees during last 10 minutes of
refrigeration.

Prepare filling.
In a mixing bowl, using a rubber or silicone spatula, blend
together Ricotta and Mascarpone cheese while running and
pressing mixture along bottom of bowl to remove any lumps.
Fold in powdered sugar. Cover and chill 30 minutes (or until
ready to use). Roll each chilled dough out on a lightly floured
surface (dust top with flour too) into a 14-inch circle, to about
an 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into circles using a 2 1/2-inch round
biscuit cutter. Transfer rounds to an ungreased mini muffin tin,
pressing evenly into sides and bottom of muffin well. Spray tops
evenly with vegetable oil spray. Bake in preheated oven 11 – 13
minutes until lightly golden (I liked these best crisp). Remove from
oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. Once
cool dip tops in chocolate if desired then into coating if using
(such as pistachios) and allow chocolate to set. Remove cannoli
filling from refrigerator, transfer to a piping bag fitted with a tip
or you can use a large resealable bag and cut the tip of the end).
Pipe filling into cups and sprinkle with chocolate chips and dust
with powdered sugar. For best results serve within 2 hours.
Store in refrigerator.
*You can add 2 Tbsp more if you’d like it a little sweeter.

(recipe: Pinterest)
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It’s been a busy weekend with going to grandson’s flag football game (they lost), attending a retirement party for husband’s cousin who’s going to move to Hawaii!, and a few other activities. I’m grateful that now (as far as I know – youngest has today off, so my ‘leisure’ could change, since he doesn’t have a car) – I’m free to write a blog, peruse the recipes (and there are TONS!) and maybe knit or crochet a bit. Worked on a chemo cap (about 1/2 done – it’s been quite a while since I’ve done that), still working on the really easy crocheted baby blanket (since it’s so easy, I tend to get bored with it and not work on it – not a good thing . . . sigh) and am sort of eagerly looking for the next ‘fun’ knit project. IF you’re a knitter or crocheter, you KNOW what I mean: you always have more than one project going at a time.

Youngest is now pursuing purchasing a 1997 pick up truck; needs new brakes which the owner is going to change out (he’s a mechanic) and then son will probably purchase in 2 weeks (has to wait to earn enough $$$ to buy it). That will FREE ME UP some (I hope) to be able to stay home a bit. As it is now, I drive him to & from work every day and sometimes to friends or the mall (let’s rephrase that: HE drives TO work, I drive home. I drive to pick him up, HE drives home or to the mall, etc.) I’ve been diligent to make sure he continues driving and does not lose his driving ‘skills’, since he hadn’t had his license very long before getting in the accident that totaled his first car. Ah, life and it’s many ‘stages’: infancy, school, out of school, driving/job, etc. I’m still trying to absorb the idea that I’m now considered a SENIOR CITIZEN! I get the words mixed up (at doctor’s offices) between MediCARE and Medicaid – I have CARE, not caid. (Sigh) Gettin’ old ain’t fun, for sure! I’m just VERY grateful I’m in as good a health as I am, for 65!

Well friends, this post is long enough – time to wrap it up. Hope you are enjoying this Fall weather. Today it’s 54 degrees, gloomy and wet (rained overnight) – definitely SWEATER weather, for sure! Bundle up, rest a bit and enjoy a ‘hot beverage’!

Hugs;

Pammie

PS: Almost forgot – decided to try an experiment the other day: our yard has two hickory nut trees and this year has been a bumper crop of them – our driveway is loaded! I vaguely remember, as a small child, going with my babysitter for a walk down our road with buckets hanging around our necks. Our goal: to fill them with hickory nuts! For fun, I brought out the nut cracker & nut pick and gathered a few to see if I remembered how they taste. Well, since we do not spray our trees, I anticipated lots of bugs. Husband told me that’s what the hard bright green outer shell was for: to keep the bugs out! I gathered about 9 of them and, after cracking at least 6, finally found one that wasn’t already dried up! I was able to eat 3 – yep, they taste mildly like walnuts. (Husband had to do his computer search: they are in the walnut family). I even did the experiment with our grandson – he wasn’t that interested but ate 2, just to amuse me (sigh). All I can say is: those little buggers sure take a LOT of work to get that teeny, tiny meat out! (they look just like miniature walnuts inside, hence the need for a nut pick – it’s really hard getting their meat out!). Think I’ll stick to walnuts – much less work!